Barum win at Hallen

Paxton and Davies goals give Barum their first victory since October

GOALS by Stan Paxton and Stuart Davies gave Barnstaple Town a welcome win against struggling Hallen on Saturday.

Barnstaple started strongly on a very sticky Moorhouse Lane pitch and were twice denied early on by good saves by goalkeeper Alex Pearce before Paxton broke the deadlock on 24 minutes.

The club’s joint top-scorer this season pounced when Pearce spilled a shot at the near post to put his side 1-0 up.

Chances followed for both teams but with the half-time whistle ready to blow, Davies met a low cross and stooped to head home the second from 12 yards.

Barnstaple had to see out a difficult spell of second half pressure as Hallen looked to find their way back into the match. A thunderous shot by Andy Cook hammered off the crossbar but that was as close as they came to finding a way past Luke Purnell.

The visitors hit the woodwork themselves with a little under 20 minutes left but were unable to increase their goal cushion.

The win – Barum’s first since October – saw them climb two places to 10th in the Toolstation table.

Barnstaple are at home to Street on Saturday.